The suspected gunman in a drive-by shooting in Pontiac that left a 7-year-old girl dead has been arrested while a $10,000 reward is offered for information on the suspected driver, identified as JaJuan Calvin McDonald, 17.
The Oakland County Sheriff’s Office has not yet released the name of the person accused of opening fire outside the home near Paddock and Wilson streets on March 18, which left Ariah Jackson dead from a gunshot wound to the head.
Ariah had just returned home from school shortly before 5 p.m. with her mother and other children when an orange Chevrolet Blazer drove by the home and someone began shooting at the car occupied by Ariah and the others, which was in the driveway, the sheriff’s office said.
More information on the suspected shooter is expected to be released sometime Thursday.
A warrant authorized Wednesday morning by 50th District Judge Michael Martinez charges McDonald with first-degree murder, four counts of assault with intent to murder and four counts of possession of a firearm while in the commission of a felony. He’s charged as an adult.
Warrants are being sought for multiple felonies against the suspected gunman, who was arrested in Troy.
The sheriff’s office said the shooting was gang-related.
Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives have partnered in the investigation and are jointly offering the $10,000 reward with Crime Stoppers. Anyone with information on McDonald’s whereabouts is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800- SPEAK UP. Tipsters remain anonymous.
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“I am proud of our team and grateful for the assistance of ATF agents as they worked seamlessly to quickly identify the suspects in this horrific and senseless murder of an innocent child,” Sheriff Michael Bouchard stated in a news release. “The wrong people are afraid in our community. We must make those that carry and use weapons illegally and perpetrate this violence the ones that are fearful of the certainty of long prison time. Children coming home from school should never be afraid. These suspects must be held accountable.”
According to the sheriff’s office, Ariah’s mother said she had just returned home after picking up her two children and two nieces from the school bus stop when the shooting occurred. She and the four children were still in the car in the driveway when the Blazer drove by and multiple shots were fired by the front seat passenger.
Ariah, hit by the gunfire, was removed from the car by her father who took her into the house before sheriff’s deputies arrived. Deputies transported Ariah to an area hospital where she was pronounced dead.
Ariah’s mother, age 30, suffered a grazing wound to the head and was taken to the hospital but refused treatment.
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Three other girls, ages 6, 7, and 11, were in the car at the time of the shooting and were not injured.
Ariah’s mother also told deputies she had seen an orange Chevrolet Blazer pass by her as she waited at the bus stop, the sheriff’s office said.